Convertible storage container/picture frame assembly

ABSTRACT

A convertible storage container for a plurality of cooperable picture framing elements, such as a plurality of slotted joinable framing members adapted to form a complete peripheral frame when removed from the container and joined together for a display of a picture mountable in the slotted framing members in a picture framing position of the elements, is adapted to be converted into a picture frame having a backing board in cooperation with the framing elements stored within the interior. In a storage container position, an outer backing board member, such as corrugated cardboard, peripheraly surrounds the framing elements to form an enclosed storage container therefor. If it is desired to form a picture frame from the contents, the stored framing elements are joined together, and the backing board is converted to a substantially planar configuration and inserted in the slotted framing members to enhance the rigidity thereof while providing backing for a picture mountable in the slotted frame. The framing elements may include a transparent sheet insertable in the joined slotted framing members wiith the picture being inserted between the sheet and the backing board. If desired, the picture may also be stored within the interior of the storage container formed by the peripherably surrounding backing board.

United States Patent [191 Wiener, Jr.

[ Apr. 15, 1975 CONVERTIBLE STORAGE CONTAINER/PICTURE FRAME ASSEMBLY[76] Inventor: Samuel Wiener, Jr., 2 River Ln.,

Westport, Conn. 06880 [22] Filed: Oct. 31, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 411,472

[52] US. Cl. 206/223; 40/155; 206/17 [51] Int. Cl B44d 3/00 [58] Fieldof Search 206/223, 225, 226, 1.7;

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 361,926 4/1887 Caldwell206/226 Primary ExaminerWilliam 1. Price Assistant Examiner-Joseph M.Moy Attorney, Agent, or Firml-lubbell, Cohen & Stiefel [57] ABSTRACT Aconvertible storage container for a plurality of cooperable pictureframing elements, such as a plurality of slotted joinable framingmembers adapted to form a complete peripheral frame when removed fromthe container and joined together for a display of a picture mountablein the slotted framing members in a picture framing position of theelements, is adapted to be converted into a picture frame having abacking board in cooperation with the framing elements stored within theinterior. in a storage container position, an outer backing boardmember, such as corrugated cardboard, peripheraly surrounds the framingelements to form an enclosed storage container therefor. If it isdesired to form a picture frame from the contents, the stored framingelements are joined together, and the backing board is converted to asubstantially planar configuration and inserted in the slotted framingmembers to enhance the rigidity thereof while providing backing for apicture mountable in the slotted frame. The framing elements may includea transparent sheet insertable in the joined slotted framing memberswiith the picture being inserted between the sheet and the backingboard. If desired, the picture may also be stored within the interior ofthe storage container formed by the peripherably surrounding backingboard.

10 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures CONVERTIBLE STORAGE CONTAINER/PICTURE FRAMEASSEMBLY BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION l. Field of the Invention Thepresent invention relates to a framing system for the display ofpictures in which a storage container for the picture framing elementsis convertible into a picture frame in cooperation with these framingelements.

2. Description of the Prior Art Prior art picture frames of the modulartype are well known such as disclosed in US. Pat. No. 3.613.280. Suchprior art picture frames. however. if they utilize a back board. mustutilize a separate flat back board whose sole purpose is to providebacking for the picture. Thus. although the modular frame in theunassembled condition takes up considerably less space than in theassembled condition. the backing board utilizes the same amount of spaceand no economy of packaging is realized.

The high cost of packaging products. has resulted in attempts to providea dual purpose for the packaging container such as a drawing board asdisclosed in US. Pat. No. 3.620.362; as a mattress support. as disclosedin US. Pat. No. 3.513.490; and as a book stand. as disclosed in US. Pat.No. 3.195.850. by way of example. However. there are presently nosatisfactory framing systems. such as for large pictures. which can beproduced at low cost and can be distributed in a package that iseconomical. and convenient to handle or ship. These disadvantages of theprior art are overcome by the present invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A convertible storage container for a pluralityof cooperable picture framing elements adapted to be converted into apicture frame having a backing board in cooperation with the framingelements stored therein is provided. When the arrangement is utilized asa storage container. the backing board. such as a corrugated cardboard.peripherally surrounds the framing elements so as to form an enclosedstorage container therefor. This outer backing board member has alongitudinal axis in this storage position about which the backing boardperipherally surrounds the framing elements stored therein. the outermember being opened at opposite ends thereof along the longitudinal axisin this storage position for removably receiving the framing elementstherein. Capping members are removably mountable at these opposite endsin the storage position for completely enclosing the framing elementswithin the interior of the peripherally surrounding outer member whenthey are mounted at the opposite ends so as to form the enclosed storagecontainer.

The framing elements peripherally include a plurality of slottedjoinable framing members removable from the storage enclosure interiorand adapted to form a complete peripheral frame when removed and joinedtogether for display of a picture mountable in the slotted framingmembers in a picture framing position of the elements as well as. ifdesired, a transparent sheet which is mountable in the joined slottedframing members in the picture framing position. with the picture beingmountable between the backing board and the transparent sheet in thispicture framing position. The outer backing board member is convertibleto a substantially planar configuration with the capping members removedand is mountable in the joined slotted framing members in asubstantially planar configuration thereof in the picture framingposition to enhance the rigidity of the joined framing members whileproviding backing for a picture mountable in the joined framing membersin the planar configuration thereof. the backing board providing aprotective storage enclo sure for the framing elements in theperipherally surrounding conliguration thereof.

If desired. the picture to be displayed may also be stored within theconvertible storage container interior. Furthermore. the storagecontainer may be any desired configuration such as cylindrical orpolygonal and the corrugated member may include a plurality ofsubstantially uniformly spaced apart parallel fold lines extendingthereacross to minimize any warping of the corrugated member planarconfiguration while providing an axis of folding for portions of thecorrugated members peripheral configuration. with the folded portionsproviding internal support for the folded corrugated member to enhancethe sturdiness of the storage container. In addition. these foldedportions may diagonally divide the storage container into at least twostorage compartments for the framing elements while providing enhancedstructural sturdiness for the storage container. If desired. the framingmembers may comprise two pairs of extruded metal or plastic framesections which are metered to form a rectangle by either screwingtogether the corners or other conventional means of securing thesemembers together.

Brief Description Of Drawing FIG. I is an exploded perspective view ofthe convertible storage container/picture frame assembly of the presentinvention illustrating a typical preferred storage configuration;

FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1 illustrating an alternative storagecontainer configuration;

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 1 illustrating another alternativestorage container configuration;

FIG. 4 is an exploded diagramatic illustration of the convertibleassembly provided in FIGS. 1, 2. or 3 in the picture framing position; 1

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of FIG. 4 taken along line 5-5;

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 4 showing a typical interconnection offraming members;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary exploded view similar to FIG. 6 of analternative interconnection arrangement for the framing members;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary exploded perspective view. similar to FIG. 4,illustrating the container of FIG. 2 or 3 in a framing position thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now to thedrawings in detail. and initially to FIG. I thereof. a typicalconvertible storage container/picture framing assembly in accordancewith the preferred arrangement of the present invention is shown. In thearrangement illustrated in FIG. I, the convertible storage container,generally referred to by the reference numeral 10. preferably comprisesan outer backing board member 12 which is rolled about a longitudinalaxis 14 so as to form a storage enclosure in the interior thereof. Theouter backing board member 12 preferably consists of corrugatedcardboard.

such as single-faced corrugated cardboard rolled to form a cylinder ortube. The length of this tube formed from backing board 12 along thelongitudinal axis 14 is preferably of sufficient extent so as to beapproximately equal to the longest dimension of the framing membersstored therein. The storage container configuration preferably includesa pair of end caps 16 and 18 which are preferably mountable on the openends 20 and 22, respectively, of the cylinder formed by the rolledbacking board 12 so as to form an enclosed storage container for thecontents stored within the interior 24 of the cylinder formed by therolled backing board 12.

As illustrated in FIG. I, the interior 24 preferably stores conventionalframing members 26, 28, 30 and 32, shown in greater detail in FIGS. 4through 8, which are preferably slotted as illustrated in FIG. toreceive the backing board l2 as well as the picture and which arejoinable in conventional fashion to form a complete peripheral framewhen removed from the interior 24 of the storage container formed by therolled backing member 12. If desired, and as illustrated in FIG. 4, theinterior of the storage container formed by the rolled backing board 12also preferably includes a transparent plastic sheet which is mountablein the assembled slotted frameand. if desired, may contain the pictureto be displayed in the frame. Furthermore, if desired, if the framemembers are to be joined by screws, these screws may be contained withinthe interior 24 of the cylindrical storage container formed by, therolled backing board 12.

Referring now to FIG. 2, an alternative configuration for the storagecontainer of FIG. 1 is shown. This configuration represents a typicalpolygonal configuration having a triangular polygonal cross-section, byway of example. The backing board 12, aswas previously mentioned.preferably comprises a corrugated cardboard such as a single-facedcorrugated board or a double-*faced-corrugated board. In the exampleillustrated in FIG. 2, the corrugated cardboard backing member 12 ispreferably a double-faced corrugated board which is scored along floldlines 34, 36, 38, 40 and 42. by way of example, so as to be foldableinto the prismatic tube of triangular section illustrated in FIG. 2.These fold lines, as illustrated in FIG. 8 by way of example in whichthe backing board l2is unfolded, are preferably substantially uniformlyspaced apart parallel fold lines which extend across the width of thebacking board member 12.,These fold lines preferably minimize anywarping of the corrugated backing board 12 when it is in a planarconfiguration, as illustrated in FIG. 8, in a picture framing positionby diminishing the area of warp across the corrugations, thecorrugations preferably running parallel to the fold lines. In addition.these fold or score lines provide axes of folding for the portions ofthe corrugated backing board member 12 peripheral configuration, such asillustrated in FIG. 2, in the storage container position thereof, suchas folded portion 44 clearly visible in FIG. 2. In addition, thesefolded portions provide internal support for the folded corrugatedbacking board 12 to enhance the sturdiness of the storage container. 10formed thereby. As shown and preferred in FIG. 2, the open ends of thetriangular storage containers formed by the folded backing board 12 arepreferably closed by removable end caps 46 and 48 which are preferablymountable on the open ends to form an enclosed storage container.

As shown and preferred in FIG. 3, the storage container 10 preferablycomprises a rectangular polygonal configuration formed by foldingcorrugated backing board 12 about scored fold lines 50, 52, 54, 56, 58and 60. Preferably. as shown and preferred in FIG. 3, this rectangularconfiguration consists of two triangular portions with parallel foldportions 64 and 66 providing diagonals for the rectangular storagecontainer configuration 10 formed by the folded corrugated backing board12. These diagonal portions 64 and 66 preferably divide the storagecontainer 10 into two storage compartments 68 and 70 for the framingelements. The corrugated backing board 12 illustrated in FIG. 3 ispreferably a doublefaced corrugated board, although, if desired, anyother satisfactory material may be utilized. The open ends of thetriangular storage container formed by folded corrugated backing board12 are preferably capped by end caps 72 and 74 which are removablymountable thereon in the same manner as end caps 16 and 18 of FIG. 1 and46 and 48 of FIG. 2. Preferably each of these end cap pairs 16-18, 46-48and 72-74 are complementary to the configuration 10 formed by the rolledor folded corrugated backing board 12. It should be noted that thediagonal portions 64 and 66 of the rectangular configuration illustratedin FIG. 3 also provide enhanced structural sturdiness for the storagecontainer configuration 10 as well as dividing it into storagecompartments 68 and 70.

FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate typical conventional preferred connectionschemes for a modular peripheral frame construction. FIG. 6 illustratesthe use of threaded screw members 80, 82, 84 and 86 which are threadablyreceived in frame members 90, 92, 94, 96 to join these members togetherto form a complete peripheral picture. frame 98 having an aperture 100therein for display of a picture. As previously mentioned, the frame 98is a slotted frame (see FIG. 5). FIG. 7 illustrates another typical typeof conventional interconnection scheme for the frame members,illustrating a snap-fit connection for a protruding member 102 in a slot104 of an adjacent frame member, such as when these frame members 90,92, 94 and 96 are formed of plastic. Thus, the connection scheme of FIG.6 is more preferably utilized for metal or wood frame members and theconnection scheme of FIG. 7 is more preferably used for plastic framemembers although, if desired, any conventional interconnection schememay be utilized.

Referring now to FIGS. 4, 5 and 8, the picture frame position of theconvertible backing board 12 is illustrated. In converting from thestorage container position 10 illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 3 to thepicture frame position illustrated in FIGS. 4, 5 and 8, the package orstorage container is opened by removing the end caps 16, 18 of FIG. 1,46-48 of FIG. 2, or 72- 74 of FIG. 3. The backing board 12 is thenunrolled or unfolded, depending on the configuration, and laid flat. Ifthe container has a front plastic sheet stored therein, such as sheet106 illustrated in FIG. 4, 5 and 8, this sheet which is preferably aflexible clear plastic sheet, is unrolled or unfolded and laid flat. Ifthe picture 108 is preferably stored within the interior 24 of thestorage container, this picture 108 is then placed face down on top ofthe protective plastic sheet 106. The unrolled or unfolded backing board12 is then preferably placed on topof the picture 108 so as to sandwichthe picture 108 between the transparent plastic sheet 106 and thebacking board 12. If desired, the dimension of the plas tic sheet maypreferably be such that it may be drawn over the backing board 12 so asto be secured thereto, such as by means of an adhesive tape 110 asillustrated in FIG. 5. As shown and preferred in FIG. 4 and 8, the frame98 is preferably partially assembled so as to form a U-shape by joiningthe members 90. 96 and 94 together. The transparentsheet-picture-backing board sandwich 106-108-12 is then preferably slidinto the slotted portion 112 of the partially assembled frame 98, whichslotted portion preferably forms an interior channel which willcompletely surround the sheetpicture backing board 106-108-12 sandwichin the completely assembled frame 98. After this sandwich 106-108-12 isin place in the partially assembled frame 90-96-94, remaining framingmember section 92 is secured in place to adjoining frame members 90 and94 so as to complete the frame. As shown and preferred in FIGS. 6 and 7.the framing members preferably are metered in conventional fashion atthe extremities thereof. It should be noted that preferably the dimensions of the rollable or foldable corrugated backing board 12 are suchas to completely accomodate all of the framing elements within thestorage interior 24 thereof in the peripherally surroundingconfiguration thereof while being completely containable within theassembled frame in the unrolled or unfolded planar picture framingposition thereof.

It is to be understood that the above described embodiments oftheinvention are merely illustrative of the principles thereof and thatnumerous modifications and embodiments of the invention may be derivedwithin the spirit and scope thereof.

What is claimed is:

l. A convertible storage container for a plurality of cooperable pictureframing elements adapted to be converted into a picture frame having abacking board in cooperation with said framing elements stored thereincomprising an outer backing board member peripherally surrounding saidframing elements in a storage position for forming an enclosed storagecontainer therefor. said outer member having a longitudinal axis in saidstorage position about which said outer backing board memberperipherally surrounds said framing elements stored therein. said outermember being open at opposite ends thereof along said longitudinal axisin said storage position thereof for removably receiving said framingelements therethrough; first and second capping members removablymountable at said opposite ends of said outer member in said storageposition thereof for completely enclosing said framing elements withinthe interior of said peripherally surrounding outer member in saidmounted position thereof to form said enclosed storage container; saidframing elements comprising a plurality of slotted joinable framingmembers removable from said storage enclosure interior and adapted toform a complete peripheral frame when removed and joined together fordisplay of a picture mountable in said slotted framing members in apicture framing position of said elements, said outer backing boardmember being convertible to a substantially planar configuration withsaid capping members removed, said outer backing board member beingmountable in said removable joined slotted framing members in saidsubstantially planar configuration thereof in said picture framingposition, said outer member enhancing the rigidity of said joinedframing members while providing backing for a picture mountable in saidslotted joined framing members in said planar configuration thereof.while providing a protective storage enclosure for said framing elementsin said peripherally surrounding configuration thereof.

2. A convertible container in accordance with claim 1 wherein saidframing elements further comprises a transparent sheet mountable in saidjoined slotted framing members in said picture framing position, saidpicture being mountable in said slotted framing members between saidmounted outer member and said mounted transparent sheet in said pictureframing position.

3. A convertible container in accordance with claim 1 wherein saidframing elements further comprises said picture.

4. A convertible container in accordance with claim 1 wherein said outermember comprises corrugated cardboard.

5. A convertible container in accordance with claim 1 wherein said outermember comprises a corrugated member.

6. A convertible container in accordance with claim 5 wherein saidcorrugated member includes a plurality of substantially uniformly spacedapart parallel fold lines extending thereacross, said fold linesminimizing any warping of said corrugated member planar configuration insaid picture framing position while providing axes of folding forportions of said corrugated member peripheral configuration in saidstorage container position thereof, said folded portions providinginternal support for said folded corrugated member to enhance thesturdiness of said storage container.

7. A convertible container in accordance with claim 6 wherein saidfolded portions diagonally divide said storage container into at leasttwo storage compartments for said framing elements in said storagecontainer position, said diagonals further providing enhanced structuralsturdiness for said storage container configuration.

8. A convertible container in accordance with claim 6 wherein said foldlines are scored lines disposed across said corrugated member to providea folded peripheral configuration enclosure having a polygonalcross-section.

9. A convertible container in accordance with claim 5 wherein saidcorrugated member is rollable about said longitudinal axis to provide asubstantially cylindrical storage enclosure in said storage containerposition and unrollable to provide said planar configuration in saidpicture framing position.

10. A convertible container in accordance with claim 1 wherein saidjoinable framing members each include complementary mitered portions atthe extremeties thereof, said mitered portions each including aperturestherein for receiving connecting members therein to join said framingmembers together to complete said peripheral frame.

1. A convertible storage container for a plurality of cooperable pictureframing elements adapted to be converted into a picture frame having abacking board in cooperation with said framing elements stored thereincomprising an outer backing board member peripherally surrounding saidframing elements in a storage position for forming an enclosed storagecontainer therefor, said outer member having a longitudinal axis in saidstorage position about which said outer backing board memberperipherally surrounds said framing elements stored therein, said outermember being open at opposite ends thereof along said longitudinal axisin said storage position thereof for removably receiving said framingelements therethrough; first and second capping members removablymountable at said opposite ends of said outer member in said storageposition thereof for completely enclosing said framing elements withinthe interior of said peripherally surrounding outer member in saidmounted position thereof to form said enclosed storage container; saidframing elements comprising a plurality of slotted joinable framingmembers removable from said storage enclosure interior and adapted toform a complete peripheral frame when removed and joined together fordisplay of a picture mountable in said slotted framing members in apicture framing position of said elements, said outer backing boardmember being convertible to a substantially planar configuration withsaid capping members removed, said outer backing board member beingmountable in said removable joined slotted framing members in saidsubstantially planar configuration thereof in said picture framingposition, said outer member enhancing the rigidity of said joinedframing members while providing backing for a picture mountable in saidslotted joined framing members in said planar configuration thereof,while providing a protective storage enclosure for said framing elementsin said peripherally surrounding configuration thereof.
 2. A convertiblecontainer in accordance with claim 1 wherein said framing elementsfurther comprises a transparent sheet mountable in said joined slottedframing members in said picture framing position, said picture beingmountable in said slotted framing members between said mounted outermember and said mounted transparent sheet in said picture framingposition.
 3. A convertible container in accordance with claim 1 whereinsaid framing elements further comprises said picture.
 4. A convertiblecontainer in accordance with claim 1 wherein said outer member comprisescorrugated cardboard.
 5. A convertible container in accordance withclaim 1 wherein said outer meMber comprises a corrugated member.
 6. Aconvertible container in accordance with claim 5 wherein said corrugatedmember includes a plurality of substantially uniformly spaced apartparallel fold lines extending thereacross, said fold lines minimizingany warping of said corrugated member planar configuration in saidpicture framing position while providing axes of folding for portions ofsaid corrugated member peripheral configuration in said storagecontainer position thereof, said folded portions providing internalsupport for said folded corrugated member to enhance the sturdiness ofsaid storage container.
 7. A convertible container in accordance withclaim 6 wherein said folded portions diagonally divide said storagecontainer into at least two storage compartments for said framingelements in said storage container position, said diagonals furtherproviding enhanced structural sturdiness for said storage containerconfiguration.
 8. A convertible container in accordance with claim 6wherein said fold lines are scored lines disposed across said corrugatedmember to provide a folded peripheral configuration enclosure having apolygonal cross-section.
 9. A convertible container in accordance withclaim 5 wherein said corrugated member is rollable about saidlongitudinal axis to provide a substantially cylindrical storageenclosure in said storage container position and unrollable to providesaid planar configuration in said picture framing position.
 10. Aconvertible container in accordance with claim 1 wherein said joinableframing members each include complementary mitered portions at theextremeties thereof, said mitered portions each including aperturestherein for receiving connecting members therein to join said framingmembers together to complete said peripheral frame.